Exodus 9:29

KJV

And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; [and] the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth [is] the LORD'S.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} said {H559} unto him, As soon as I am gone out {H3318} of the city {H5892}, I will spread abroad {H6566} my hands {H3709} unto the LORD {H3068}; and the thunder {H6963} shall cease {H2308}, neither shall there be any more hail {H1259}; that thou mayest know {H3045} how that the earth {H776} is the LORD'S {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to ADONAI; the thunder will end, and there won't be any more hail - so that you can know that the earth belongs to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Moses said to him, “When I have left the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.

American Standard Version

And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto Jehovah; the thunders shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know that the earth is Jehovah’s.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In response to Pharaoh's desperate plea during the devastating hail plague, Moses promises to intercede with the LORD, declaring that as soon as he leaves the city to pray, the thunder and hail will cease. The explicit and overarching purpose of this divine intervention is for Pharaoh, and by extension all of Egypt, to comprehend and acknowledge the absolute sovereignty of the LORD over all creation, demonstrating His unique power far surpassing any Egyptian deity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the narrative of the seventh plague, the severe hail mixed with fire, detailed in [Exodus 9:13-35](/exodus/9 "The Plague of Hail"). Prior to this, [Exodus 9:27-28](/exodus/9-27-28 "Pharaoh confesses his sin and pleads for intercession") records Pharaoh's momentary, fear-driven confession of sin and his urgent request for Moses and Aaron to intercede with the LORD to halt the destructive storm. Moses's reply in [Exodus 9:29](/exodus/9-29 "Moses declares God's sovereignty over the earth") not only sets the stage for the immediate cessation of the plague, as seen in [Exodus 9:33](/exodus/9-33 "The hail and thunder cease"), but also foreshadows Pharaoh's subsequent return to obstinacy, highlighted in [Exodus 9:34-35](/exodus/9-34-35 "Pharaoh hardens his heart again"). This cyclical pattern of divine judgment, Pharaoh's temporary submission, and his ultimate rebellion underscores the escalating tension and God's unwavering purpose to reveal His glory.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Egypt was a deeply polytheistic society, where the Pharaoh was revered as a living god, the divine intermediary between the gods and humanity, and the guarantor of Egypt's prosperity and control over its natural resources, particularly the Nile. The plagues were not random acts of destruction but targeted assaults on specific Egyptian deities and the Pharaoh's perceived authority. The hail plague, in particular, challenged the dominion of gods associated with the sky, weather, and agriculture, such as Nut (sky goddess), Shu (god of air), and Seth (god of storms and chaos). Moses's declaration that "the earth is the LORD'S" directly confronts Pharaoh's divine claims and asserts Yahweh's universal dominion, not just over Israel or the desert, but over all creation, including Egypt and its natural forces. This statement served as a profound theological and political challenge to the very foundation of Egyptian cosmology and power.
* **Key Themes:** [Exodus 9:29](/exodus/9-29 "Moses declares God's sovereignty over the earth") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Exodus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting Yahweh's absolute and unrivaled control over all creation, including the elements of nature. This directly counters the polytheism of Egypt and the perceived power of Pharaoh. Another significant theme is **Divine Revelation**, as the plagues serve not merely as punishment but as a pedagogical tool for God to make Himself known, both to the Egyptians and to Israel, as stated earlier in [Exodus 7:5](/exodus/7-5 "God showing His power to Egypt"). The verse also highlights the theme of **Intercession**, showcasing Moses's crucial role as a mediator whose prayers are effective in the face of divine judgment. Finally, the declaration "the earth is the LORD'S" lays a foundational truth for the theme of **God's Ownership of Creation**, which underpins all subsequent biblical theology regarding humanity's stewardship and God's ultimate authority.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **spread abroad (Hebrew, _pâras'_):** H6566. This verb signifies to "break apart," "disperse," or "stretch forth." When combined with "hands" (H3709, _kaph_), it describes a common posture of prayer and supplication in the ancient Near East, where one stretches out their hands towards heaven. This action emphasizes Moses's role as an intercessor, not acting by his own inherent power, but humbly petitioning the LORD. The public nature of this gesture underscored that the cessation of the plague was a direct divine response to prayer, not a coincidence or a magical act.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** H3045. This primitive root is rich in meaning, encompassing not just intellectual apprehension but also experiential knowledge, recognition, and even intimate relationship. In this context, it signifies a profound, undeniable understanding and acknowledgment of God's identity and power. God's purpose in the plagues was not simply to punish Pharaoh but to compel him to "know" Yahweh in a way that would shatter his previous ignorance and defiance, forcing him to recognize God's absolute authority over the earth.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** H3068. This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often translated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh," signifying "the Self-Existent One" or "He Who Is." Its use here is crucial. Moses declares that the earth belongs to _Yᵉhôvâh_, the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel, directly contrasting Him with the multitude of Egyptian deities. This declaration asserts Yahweh's unique and universal proprietorship over all creation, transcending national boundaries or specific territories.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD;":** Moses agrees to intercede on Pharaoh's behalf, but with a significant condition: he must leave the city of Pharaoh. This act of separation is deliberate and symbolic. By praying outside the city, Moses ensures that the miraculous cessation of the plague cannot be attributed to Pharaoh's presence, the influence of Egyptian gods, or any magical rituals within the city. Instead, it is made unequivocally clear that the cessation is solely a direct, divine response from the LORD to Moses's humble and public act of supplication, signified by the "spreading abroad" of his hands.
* **"and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail;":** This clause represents Moses's confident prophecy of the immediate and complete cessation of the devastating plague. It underscores the precise and absolute control God possesses over the natural elements. The plague began at God's command, and it will cease at His command, demonstrating His ability to initiate and halt natural phenomena at will, a power far beyond any human or pagan deity.
* **"that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.":** This culminating clause articulates the explicit, overarching purpose of the plague and its miraculous cessation. The plagues were not merely punitive acts; they were revelatory. God's ultimate aim was to educate Pharaoh (and by extension, Egypt and the world) about His unique identity, His unrivaled power, and His absolute sovereignty. Pharaoh's initial defiance stemmed from his ignorance of Yahweh, as seen in his question, "Who is the LORD?" in [Exodus 5:2](/exodus/5-2 "Pharaoh asks, 'Who is the LORD?'"). This plague, like the others, served to dismantle that ignorance by demonstrating God's ultimate ownership and control over all creation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **direct speech** from Moses, lending immediate authority and weight to his pronouncement. This direct address to Pharaoh creates a powerful sense of confrontation and divine decree. A clear **cause-and-effect relationship** is established: Moses's departure and prayer will directly result in the cessation of the storm. This highlights divine responsiveness to intercession and God's precise control over nature. The concluding phrase, "that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S," functions as a **theological thesis statement**, revealing the profound, revelatory purpose behind the miraculous events. Furthermore, the act of "spreading abroad my hands" serves as **symbolism** for humble reliance and earnest supplication, contrasting with Pharaoh's pride and self-reliance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates several core theological truths that resonate throughout the biblical narrative. It fundamentally asserts God's **absolute sovereignty** and **universal dominion** over all creation, including the forces of nature, challenging any notion of competing powers or independent natural laws outside of His control. This truth is foundational to understanding God's character and His relationship with the world. The efficacy of Moses's **intercessory prayer** highlights God's willingness to respond to the humble petitions of His servants, even on behalf of His enemies, demonstrating His mercy amidst judgment. Moreover, the plagues, including the hail, serve as a potent means of **divine revelation through judgment**, by which God makes His identity and power known to those who previously defied or ignored Him. Judgment, in this context, is not solely punitive but also pedagogical, intended to bring about knowledge and recognition of God's authority. Finally, the declaration "the earth is the LORD'S" is a foundational biblical truth, asserting God's proprietorship over everything that exists, emphasizing that humanity is merely a steward of what ultimately belongs to Him.

This theme of God's universal dominion connects to the broader biblical narrative of creation, where God is depicted as the sole Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos:
* [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "God creates the heavens and the earth")
* [Psalm 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it")
* [Exodus 7:5](/exodus/7-5 "God showing His power to Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 9:29 challenges us to live with a profound and unwavering awareness of God's absolute sovereignty. In a world that often seeks to control, explain away, or attribute natural phenomena to impersonal forces, this verse powerfully reminds us that God remains the ultimate authority over all things, from global weather patterns to the intricate details of our personal lives. It calls us to trust implicitly in His control, even amidst chaos, uncertainty, or seemingly insurmountable challenges, recognizing that He works all things according to His wise and perfect purposes. Furthermore, Moses's example underscores the vital role and profound power of intercessory prayer. We are invited to bring our petitions before the LORD, confident that He hears and responds, and that our prayers can indeed influence circumstances and align with His divine will. Finally, acknowledging that "the earth is the LORD'S" should fundamentally shape our stewardship of creation, our pursuit of justice, our generosity with possessions, and our complete submission to His will in every sphere of life, recognizing that everything we have and are ultimately belongs to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you struggle to fully acknowledge God's sovereignty, especially when circumstances feel out of control or unjust?**
* **How might a deeper understanding of God's ownership of the earth impact your daily decisions regarding resources, possessions, or environmental care?**
* **What specific situation in your life or the world might God be using to reveal more of Himself and His power to you or others, similar to how He revealed Himself to Pharaoh?**

### FAQ
**Why did Moses go outside the city to pray?**

Answer: Moses's departure from the city served a crucial, symbolic purpose. It demonstrated that the cessation of the plague was not a coincidence, a natural phenomenon, or a result of Pharaoh's presence or the power of Egyptian gods within the city's confines. By praying outside the city, Moses made it unequivocally clear that the miraculous intervention was a direct, divine response from the LORD, separate from any perceived earthly or pagan influence. This act underscored God's absolute control and His direct response to His servant's intercession, ensuring that the glory for the miracle belonged solely to Yahweh.

**Was Pharaoh's repentance genuine in this instance?**

Answer: While Pharaoh confessed his sin and asked for Moses's intercession in [Exodus 9:27-28](/exodus/9-27-28 "Pharaoh confesses his sin and pleads for intercession"), the subsequent verses, particularly [Exodus 9:34-35](/exodus/9-34-35 "Pharaoh hardens his heart again"), reveal that his repentance was superficial and temporary. It was driven by immediate fear of the devastating plague rather than a true change of heart or genuine submission to the LORD. As soon as the immediate threat passed and the hail ceased, he hardened his heart once again. This pattern highlights the profound difference between fear-induced compliance and true, transformative repentance that leads to lasting obedience and faith.

**Does "the earth is the LORD'S" mean God is responsible for all natural disasters?**

Answer: Biblically, the declaration "the earth is the LORD'S" affirms God's ultimate sovereignty and control over all creation, including natural forces. In the specific context of the plagues, God directly orchestrated the hail as a precise act of judgment and revelation. While the Bible teaches that God is sovereign over all things, including natural phenomena, it does not imply that every natural disaster is a direct, punitive judgment from God in the same way the plagues were. However, it does mean that no natural event occurs outside of His ultimate knowledge and permission. God can and does use such events for His purposes, whether for correction, revelation of His power, or to demonstrate His providential care, even if the immediate cause is complex or secondary.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound declaration that "the earth is the LORD'S" finds its ultimate fulfillment and most complete amplification in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament explicitly identifies Jesus as the divine agent through whom all things were created and for whom all things exist ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "All things were created through and for Christ")). Therefore, the earth, which belongs inherently to the Father, also belongs to the Son. Jesus demonstrated this inherent sovereignty over creation throughout His earthly ministry, mirroring and exceeding the power displayed by God through Moses. Just as God commanded the hail to cease, Jesus commanded the raging winds and turbulent waves to be still with a mere word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus calms the storm")), revealing His divine authority over nature itself. His miraculous ability to multiply a few loaves and fish to feed thousands ([Matthew 14:19-21](/matthew/14-19-21 "Jesus feeds the five thousand")) further underscores His dominion over the created order and its resources. The plagues in Exodus were a powerful demonstration of God's power to deliver His people from bondage and judge His enemies; similarly, Jesus's sacrificial death and glorious resurrection represent the ultimate act of deliverance from the bondage of sin and the judgment of death, establishing His universal kingship. The overarching purpose of the plagues—that Pharaoh might "know how that the earth is the LORD'S"—is fully realized in Christ, who, having been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me")), now reigns as the true Lord of all creation, to whom every knee will one day bow and every tongue confess ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Every knee will bow to Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 143:6

I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul [thirsteth] after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

1 Kings 8:22

¶ And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:

1 Kings 8:38

What prayer and supplication soever be [made] by any man, [or] by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:

1 Corinthians 10:26

For the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Deuteronomy 10:14

Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD'S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].

Psalms 135:6

Whatsoever the LORD pleased, [that] did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.